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The expeditions of Magellan, Columbus, and Lewis and Clark have been well documented and are instantly familiar to anyone with even a passing interest in world history. But the average person is likely unaware of the U.S. Exploring Expedition or its mercurial leader, Charles Wilkes. This despite the numerous accomplishments and lasting legacy of the massive four-year project that involved six ships and hundreds of men. The "Ex. Ex.," as it came to be known, is credited with the discovery of Antarctica, the first accurate charting of what is now Oregon and Washington, the retrieval of thousands of new species of life, and the foundation of the Smithsonian Institution. Yet when Wilkes returned, instead of being hailed as a great man of science or a national hero, he was shunned by the President, ignored by the press, and was the subject of so much ill will on the part of his men that he was ultimately put on trial for a variety of offenses. In the portrayal presented in Nathaniel Philbrick's Sea of Glory, Wilkes is a passionate man, brash and enthusiastic, driven by seemingly impossible goals, many of which he actually accomplished. But he's also a petty, mean-spirited loner, egotistical enough to unilaterally give himself a promotion in the middle of the expedition. Without Wilkes' singularity of purpose, it's hard to imagine the mission being as successful as it was, but it's also hard to conceive a personality more poorly suited to leadership than the near-universally-despised Wilkes. Philbrick also skillfully reveals the insecurity behind the tyranny in excerpts from letters to Wilkes' wife, Jane. The accounts of the expedition's adventures are at various times exhilarating and tragic as the crew scales the volcanoes of Hawaii, becomes involved in a bloody war with Fijian natives, and struggles merely to stay alive while at the same time not killing Wilkes. Philbrick's compelling narrative and meticulous research provide a vivid picture of the triumphs and hardships of the exploration age. --John Moe
Book Description
AmericaÂ's first frontier was not the West; it was the sea—and no one writes more eloquently about that watery wilderness than Nathaniel Philbrick. In his bestselling In the Heart of the Sea Philbrick probed the nightmarish dangers of the vast Pacific. Now, in an epic sea adventure, he writes about one of the most ambitious voyages of discovery the Western world has ever seen—the U.S. Exploring Expedition of 1838Â- 1842. On a scale that dwarfed the journey of Lewis and Clark, six magnificent sailing vessels and a crew of hundreds set out to map the entire Pacific Ocean—and ended up naming the newly discovered continent of Antarctica, collecting what would become the basis of the Smithsonian Institution, and much more.
Customer Reviews:
Human Drama in Important History.......2007-09-27
With the publication of the author's Mayflower I assume this book will enjoy a revival. It's too bd I had to learn of it by its being the only thing of interest on the remainder table. When I bought it I'd no idea I would learn so much about one of the main characters, if not the main character, in this human drama, Charles Wilkes. As a student of the Civil War I have long been intersted in Lt. Wilkes because of his involvement, no his creation, of the Trent Affair.
If you are not interested in Wilkes as a participant in the later war, you will still find this a wonderful adventure tale. This is history come to life. Read this book if you read no other book by the author.
Philbrick is a master of this genre.......2007-09-26
I stumbled on Nathaniel Philbrick's book: "In The Heart of The Sea" and enjoyed it very much. This author has the rare ability to take historical records, diaries, narratives, and other documents and weave them into a prose style of his own that is gripping. "Sea of Glory_____"
is written for anyone who likes history, nautical based, and replete with characters that you come to feel you know after the reading. The troubled Commander of the US Ex. Ex., comes alive in the pages with deep insight into his psyche & human flaws. I would recommend this book to any reader. It truly is the "untold" story of the United States of America's attempts to send forth a seagoing expedition of exploration on the level of the more famed Lewis & Clark land expedition after the Louisiana Purchase. You will be amazed at the ongoing contributions this expedition has contributed to our knowledge of the natural world, including the origins of what is today The Smithsonian Institution.
What? Was Philbrick there?.......2007-08-24
Seriously, this is the fourth book I've read by Philbrick and I'm trying to figure out how he writes history so engagingly. When you read his work, you truly feel like you are witnessing the event as it happens with a God's-eye view. As a result you get absorbed in his telling of the story and learn while engrossed.
I think Philbrick accomplishes this little bit of literary magic by doing a huge amount of primary research, going through the journals of many of the story's characters and synthesizing a multi-dimensional picture of what went on. He then tells the story almost as if he were there. The result is truly impressive.
I had never heard of the US Exploring Expedition before reading this book and it kept me drawn in from cover to cover. The four year expedition was the first (maybe) to sight land in Antarctica, explored the mouth of the Columbia river, fought a battle in Fiji, measured volcanoes in Hawaii and brought back a collection of artifacts that formed the basis of the collection for the founding Smithsonian. Not bad for a single trip around the world. Throw in some nasty intrigue between the many officers on the expedition and you've got plenty of human drama to boot.
Give this one a read. You'll be glad you did.
Great Adventure I Never Learned About.......2007-06-08
Others have provided a better summary than I could, so I'll keep this brief. I've read a lot of history. I'm a history nerd. I watch the History channel a lot. I had never even heard of this expedition. Thanks to Philbrick for reviving this story for so many of us, and for doing it with great storytelling, inciteful analysis, and meaningful detail. Wilkes is a tragic figure, and like all tragic figures has his greatness and his flaws. This book has lessons on leadership, the desire for adventure, endurance amid hardship, mistakes to be avoided, and much more. Read this book for a fascinating story that has been sadly overlooked for far too long!
The Enthralling History Of A Largely Forgotten Expedition.......2007-06-04
One hears almost endlessly about the overland expeditions of Louis and Clark, as well as the other western expeditions of Fremont and others.
This book is the story of another expedition, the American effort to explore, map and ultimately claim parts of Polynesia and the Antarctic. The book deals initially with the polotical and organizational struggle to get the expedition going. Coceived under a Democratic-Republican (JQ Adams), opposed by the Jacksonian Democrats, launched under Van Buren, and eventually returning under the Tyler administration this expedition was almost over before it began.
One of the problems with the expedition was the search for a leader. Eventually this fell to US Navy Lieutenant Charles Wilkes. Author Nathaniel Philbrick goes into great detail on wilkes leadership style including the relationship between him and his officers. The Navy at this point in time had a block in promotions which led to many seamen not getting the opportunities they felt they deserved.
Drawn form the original source material, Philbrick provides a gripping account of the sighting and mapping of Antarctica, as well as an excellent insider's view of the inner workings of the expedition.
Excellent historical work.
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Exploring the Geology of the Carolinas: A Field Guide to Favorite Places from Chimney Rock to Charleston
Kevin G. Stewart , and
Mary-Russell Roberson
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
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ASIN: 0807857866 |
Book Description
How were the Appalachian Mountains formed? Are the barrier islands moving? Where is there gold in the Carolinas? Find answers to these questions and many more in this reader-friendly guide to the geology of North Carolina and South Carolina.
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Exploring United States History Gr 10-12
John R. O'Connor
Manufacturer: Globe Fearon
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ASIN: 0870655582 |
Book Description
More than a thousand years ago, a people known as the Anasazi lived in the North American Southwest. They produced pottery, baskets, and cloth, and engaged in trade. They were master builders and erected magnificent structures. Then in the last half of the thirteenth century, something mysterious happened. The Anasazi walked away from their world and vanished into history. But why?
One place to look for clues is in northwestern New Mexico, among the ruins of Chaco Canyon. The discovery of a network of roads leading to the canyon have led some archaeologists to believe that this may have been the very center of the Anasazi universe. But what drew them to this hot, dry canyon?
Customer Reviews:
Another wonderful Anasazi Read............2007-06-12
This book is well written with some wonderful photos to boot...I enjoyed this book thoroughly and very happy with the purchase. Great photos, nice layout. Definitely earned a place on my bookshelf!
Great Book!.......2003-12-23
What an awesome journey this was with Pete Lourie. I didn't know anything about the Chaco culture, but after reading Lourie's book, I was inspired to visit. When I got there it was exactly like Lourie had described it. I camped a few nights in the canyon. Lourie perfectly captured the mystery of the place.
Book Description
This richly illustrated, informative, and inviting book intertwines two fascinating stories of discovery. The first, among the earliest classics of New World adventure, recounts Captain John Smith's exploration of Chesapeake Bay 400 years ago; the second revisits this stunning landscape as it is today—both to showcase its still-unspoiled splendors and to issue a timely warning of looming threats to its vibrant but fragile ecology.
Dozens of dazzling full-color contemporary photographs evoke the Chesapeake spirit in all its many moods, while a wonderfully wide-ranging selection of archival images span the four centuries since John Smith first sailed, rowed, and wandered its woods and waterways, mapping the wilderness shores of an untamed America.
The author, a veteran naturalist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has spent decades leading tours and teaching classes about the region. An ideal guide, he shares both his delight in the Bay's glorious diversity and his deep concern for its future. In addition, his unique blend of experience, environmental sensitivity, and historical expertise offers modern visitors a rare opportunity to discover the Chesapeake as Smith did so long ago, leaving beaten paths and familiar waters behind to learn why Congress will soon designate it as the first of America's official National Historic Water Trails.
For history buffs, conservationists, armchair travelers, tourists planning a trip, and anyone who simply loves first-rate nature photography, this beautiful book more than meets the high standard readers have come to expect from National Geographic.
Book Description
America's leading observer of the international scene on the minute-by-minute events of September 11th--before, during and after
As the Foreign Affairs columnist for the The New York Times, Thomas L. Friedman is in a unique position to interpret the world for American readers. Twice a week, Friedman's celebrated commentary provides the most trenchant, pithy,and illuminating perspective in journalism.
Longitudes and Attitudes contains the columns Friedman has published about the most momentous news story of our time, as well as a diary of his experiences and reactions during this period of crisis. As the author writes, the book is "not meant to be a comprehensive study of September 11 and all the factors that went into it. Rather, my hope is that it will constitute a 'word album' that captures and preserves the raw, unpolished, emotional and analytical responses that illustrate how I, and others, felt as we tried to grapple with September and its aftermath, as they were unfolding."
Readers have repeatedly said that Friedman has expressed the essence of their own feelings, helping them not only by explaining who "they" are, but also by reassuring us about who "we" are. More than any other journalist writing, Friedman gives voice to America's awakening sense of its role in a changed world.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.......2007-05-07
Perfect book for those that want to learn about the issues going on in the Middle East. Easy to understand for those not that familiar with current world issues. Very informative and I would highly recommend.
An insightful look at a new world..........2007-01-29
In Longitudes and Attitudes, Friedman pulls writings from his column at the New York Times that describes his position on what he calls, "the super-story." There are two important components to this book that will stick with me: the first is his belief that globalization has paved the way for an individual to influence the masses, and the second is that even in "friendly" nations, there are fundamental, cultural and religious differences that influence a negative perception of the United States... and we need to pay attention to this.
Friedman substantiates his insightful conjectures by traveling the world and tapping into each individual society. He asks tough questions and receives harsh ridicule. This type of substantive journalism is what makes his writing so multi-dimensional... It's not merely his opinion, but the opinions of citizens around the world... and they offer a clear understanding.
There is a pile of information to absorb, so take your time with it (I read about ten to fifteen pages at a time). You'll get some history, you'll get some opinions, and most importantly, you might get a new perspective.
Have fun,
David Tobias
Redondo Beach, CA
Interesting Insight.......2006-09-08
I was not familiar with Thomas Friedman's New York Times columns. This book contains a sampling of his columns. The book mainly portrays the difference in the Arab vs. the culture of the West. The book opens with the shock of the events of 9/11, considered a tragedy by the West and a cause for celebration for many places in the Arab and Muslim world.
The author goes onto explain the Arab world's rage against America is the result of the idea that America represents, globalization , modernity, plurality. Muslim populations in the middle east are generally ruled by oppressive regimes that are failing their populace, providing a limited world vision, while censoring information. The author made an interesting observation, India has the second largest Muslim population of any country in the world, but the Muslim rage in not present, as the author notes, chanting "death to America" is not the favored occupation of its populace. The reason, India is a democracy, the people are concerned with bettering themselves through government.
And so it goes, The author's main point is that when the Middle East can be democratized, and the poverty alleviated it will be ready to join the modern world.
I really believe Tom Freidman is right on target with the ideas within this book.
An important book.......2006-08-04
Friedman's writing is consistently thoughtful, and this book is no exception. I appreciate deeply the care with which this book has been prepared. It belongs in every thinking person's library.
Thomas L. Friedman was born a ramblin' man.......2006-08-01
Thomas Friedman's "Longitudes and Attitudes" is a very readable book based on a collection of columns he wrote for the New York Times just before the attacks of 9/11 and for the year following those attacks. The last quarter of the book contains a kind of diary in which he attempts to put into context where he was in the world when he wrote these columns and how he was personally feeling at the time.
It is a very personal collection, often invoking the image of his children's future. Friedman's primary mission, as he relates it in meetings with educated people across the Middle East, is his search for the rationale of the terrorists, why they killed, and how they were radicalized. He frequently relates how depressed he got when talking to educated Middle Easterners who unflinchingly believed in conspiracy theories of the highest order. The most common canard he constantly ran across was that four thousand Jews were notified on the morning of 9/11 not to go to the World Trade Towers. Another astonishing "fact" he constantly confronted from academics, clerics and the media in the Middle East was that there is no proof that Muslims were the 9/11 hijackers in the first place. In general, Friedman relates, most Muslims in the Middle East also believe that the attack was a plot by the CIA (or Jews) to discredit Muslims and that all the American media is run by Jews.
Throughout the book, Friedman does not shy away from the fact that he is Jewish. He is balanced and critical of both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - decrying the brutality of the Israelis and Palestinians and he especially singles out the stubbornness of Arafat in that Arab leader's failure to accept the Clinton peace plan, which would have given Palestinians a state encompassing 95% of what they asked for and could have stanched the bloodshed.
Friedman relates his amazement that the Middle East is bombarded by an incessant 24-hour-a-day attack in the Arab media upon Israel and the United States, particularly via TV programs that run through the night simply playing martial music and showing images of Israeli brutality against Palestinians - which is always portrayed as one-sided.
He is unabashedly and constantly critical of the Saudi Arabia regime, from which, we are frequently reminded, was home to 15 of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers. Friedman seems particularly upset that Saudi Arabia did not apologize for the involvement of its nationals in the attack against the US and has refused to cooperate with the FBI in their investigation. He also makes it abundantly clear that Saudi Arabia, along with Iran, seem to be in a race to provide money to Islamic madras's across the globe that teach virulent intolerance and hatred against America and Israel.
Friedman doesn't simpy rail against the world as he sees it, he does prescribe some remedies for what he refers to as an ongoing "Clash of Civilizations," a term he borrows from Samuel Huntington. If we don't address the tumult we find ourselves in and Usama bin Laden "wins," Friedman warns us that, "The war of civilizations will be coming to a theater near to you."
First and foremost, he calls upon Arab nations to forge a new future for their citizens by letting go of the past and looking to the future. Too often Arab nations and leaders deflect true change by blaming all their troubles on someone else... their problems are America's fault, or Bush's fault, or Israel's fault and so on ad infinitum. True leaders in the Middle East should create plans for the future, not just laying blame for present and past real and perceived slights. Arab leaders should come up with plans for educating their children, making governments more responsive and creating jobs for the exploding number of young people in the Middle East. Friedman goads Arab leaders by saying things such as, while other emerging nations "make microchips, you are making potato chips," and that the GDP of Spain is greater than that of all 22 Arab states combined.
Friedman could be called a liberal hawk. He firmly believes in globalization, with a caveat that the Internet can be "an open sewer." He also believes that the concept of engaging and talking with your enemy is the only way that problems can truly be resolved. An example: The U.S. and Israel engaged Arafat and came up with a plan that gave the Palestinians a state encompassing 95% of what they wanted. This pleased Friedman the liberal. Arafat torched the olive branch that was extended to him and Friedman the hawk reminds us that Arafat had many maps that did not even show modern Israel on them. Friedman the hawk also applauded the fall of Saddam from a humanitarian viewpoint (reminding us that Saddam killed more Muslims in the 20th century than any other individual) and asked his readers to "give the CIA a break," and "give war a chance."
One of the most important ideas this book relates is that, unlike Christianity and the Jewish faith, Islam never went though Enlightenment or a Reformation. What this means is that Islam never separated church and state the way that the West has done and therefore Islam has not been able to move its society and culture forward because of the constant influence of clerics who can't effectively run a modern nation.
Lastly, the last quarter of the book that was written in a diary format was primarily a rehash of ideas spelled out earlier in the book - merely reformatted to fit the geographic contours of where and when Friedman wrote his columns. This part of the book added little new information and seemed that it was almost an afterthought... an awkward attempt to tie together all the canned columns.
Book Description
The only field guide to stone walls in the Northeast.
"Every stone wall is unique and every stone tells a story," says Robert M. Thorson, the author of the first field guide to historic New England stone walls-- one that helps you identify and appreciate those in your yard, neighborhood, and throughout the Northeast.
Exploring Stone Walls is like being in Thorson's geology classroom, as he presents the many clues that allow you to determine any wall's history, age, and purpose. Thorson highlights forty-five places to see interesting and noteworthy walls, many of which are in public parks and preserves, from Acadia National Park in Maine to the South Fork of Long Island. Visit the tallest stone wall (Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island), the most famous (Robert Frost's mending wall in Derry, New Hampshire), and many more. This field guide will broaden your horizons and deepen your appreciation of New England's rural history.
Customer Reviews:
What I Learned About Stone Walls.......2006-01-03
The book, Exploring Stone Walls, A Field Guide to New England's Stone Walls by Robert Thorson is split up into eleven detailed chapters. From there it is distributed into three separate sections. The first section is divided into four chapters. Thorson mainly talks about how there are many different types of life in and or around a stone wall. Many different types of organisms live here including the smallest life forms such as lichens and bacteria to large mammals such as dogs and cats. Although Thorson doesn't give much of an overview about this section, it is highly detailed fact-wise. I found this quite interesting because even if you are not an in-depth stonewall observer, than you can still have an enjoyable time watching them if you also have other interests such as ecology or if you're a naturalist. During the course of this book, there was one small segment about how he talked about artificial stone being very abundant throughout New England. I feel like this had little reference to the rest of the topics that Thorson was explaining. But there was an extremely well-developed chapter that I felt helped me overcome the very puzzling question of "How do you know whether to classify stone as a wall or a pile?" Very challenging question. Or is it? There is a simple answer to this problem. If the wall is anything less than four times long than it is wide it is a pile and vice-versa. In chapter eight of the book there is a well thought of segment about how to determine a certain wall's age. If you like to have history tied in with reading than you'll like this book. I didn't enjoy the chapter about the terrain because it was too detailed and it barely even talked about the walls. But his best chapter was chapter eleven, where he described some of his personal favorite stone walls to visit. This is even more interesting if you love to travel and explore. Overall, Thorson is a very good author and many people will benefit reading this book.
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- The Beck Diet Solution : Lose Weight with Confidence, Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person
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